Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture Reading

Introduction

We are busy in a broad study on the topic of spiritual discernment.

I’ve given various important tests that can be done in order to ensure that you are exercising spiritual discernment.

The last week, we looked together at a practical situation in which I believe there is a great need for spiritual discernment.

That is what is termed in our modern day as the New Apostolic Reformation.

Last week we considered in a broad overview, 6 teachings that are prevalent within churches that are embracing these New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) teachings.

As I mentioned last week, not every church holds to the teachings to the same degree as every other church.

Furhtermore, not every person involved in NAR churches realises the extent of the beliefs that are held to, and the fact that a number of these teachings are actually unbiblical.

Furthermore, I mentioned that we should keep in mind that there are many sincere and devout believers that are involved in these churches without recognising some of the problems with the teachings Scripturally.

As such, we want to deal with these matters by going to the Scriptures, and pointing out from the Scriptures why the teachings are problematic.

And beyond that, we want to do all of that with grace and love if we are talking to those involved.

Certainly we must avoid a condescending spirit

This morning what I want to do is turn our attention to the first main teaching of the NAR churches, namely 5-fold ministry, and just consider that in some more depth.

For the benefit of those who were not here last week, the 5-fold ministry means that in the church today there should be the offices of Apostles, prophets, evangelists, preachers and teachers functioning within the church.

You will recall if you were here last week I mentioned that one of the key verses that the NAR churches use to support the idea of a 5-fold ministry is Ephesians 4:11.

And so this morning we will be looking further into this idea of the 5-fold ministry, and how the current expression of 5-fold ministry within the NAR churches holds up to Scripture.

In order to do this, what we will need to do is briefly consider the prevalent NAR teachings concerning both apostles and prophets.

In other words, what are they talking about when they speak of these offices of prophets and apostles.

And then we will turn to the Scriptures and I will attempt to show you what the Scriptures really teach and why these NAR teachings cannot be in line with the biblical teaching.

1. NAR Apostles

As we begin then, I’m going to do so by drawing our attention very briefly to the teaching in the church concerning modern-day apostles, and what their function is.

From the outset, we must realise that there are very different understandings of what an apostle is (in modern-day terms) between various groups of people.

We will consider some of these positions from a protestant perspective.

Some believe that the Apostles in the NT held a specific function in the establishment of the church, and that since this task was completed, that office / function of “Apostle” is no longer applicable today.

Others within protestant churches use the term apostle a little more broadly, and speak of apostles as those who are effectively missionaries within the church, those who are sent out, but they don’t contain the authority that the original apostles did.

In other words, they simply refer to a generic idea of a sent person as an apostle.

Then we have another group that is your classical Pentecostal / Charismatic who would agree that an apostle is a sent one, kind of a missionary, but that these apostles today have a particular gifting of apostleship meaning that in addition to simply being sent out to proclaim Christ, they are gifted with the ability to do miracles, but they are NOT seen as holding an office within the church government.

The NAR position, on the other hand, affirm the existence of apostles today and holds that these apostles have governing authority within the church, which authority is equal to the original apostles (particularly the 12).

They hold official church office, and they wield great authority as Apostles.

According to the proponents of this view, the office of the original apostles should never have been lost in the church, but it was.

What they believe is that God is restoring this lost office of “Apostle” and “Prophet” to the church today.

Briefly, what are some of the functions of these NAR apostles?

“According to Peter Wagner these apostles will...:

receive revelation (directly and from prophets).

cast new vision for the church (based on the revelation the apostle has received).

govern within the church.

“birth” new ministries.

lead the church in spiritual warfare.

teach.

impart God’s blessings in others (including spiritual gifts).

initiate and carry out projects by strategizing and fundraising.

complete projects by bringing them to desired conclusions.

equip others for ministry.

send out others who are equipped to fulfill their roles in expanding the kingdom of God.

raise up future leadership.”

[1]

That said, it should be noted that there are a number of limitations that are seen to exist among apostles in the NAR.

2. The Marks of Biblical Apostles

We now turn our attention to the Biblical Apostles.

What does Scripture teach us concerning Apostles, who they were, what they did, what their function was etc.

2.1.

The Twelve

The first group that we need to consider Biblically is the Twelve Apostles.

These apostles are well known to us.

They were recognised in the Gospels, and also in the early church, as being a distinct group of Apostles.

Also in 1 Corinthians 15:5, Paul talks about Jesus appearing “to the Twelve.”

Very evidently, they were recognised as Apostles.

But further than that, we need to consider some distinctives concerning these disciples.

2.1.1.

A specific Limitation in their Numbers

Recognise the 12 tribes of Israel parallel with the 12 apostles...

“The twelve apostles thus serve as a symbolic bridge representing continuity between God’s work in and through the nation of Israel and God’s new work in and through the church.”

(Pivec et al)

2.1.2.

Specific Criterion for Inclusion in their Numbers

2.1.2.1 They were chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ

When the time came to replace Judas as an Apostle,

Even the Apostle Paul was specifically chosen by Christ for the task of taking the Gospel to the Gentiles...

2.1.2.2.

They were eye-witnesses of the resurrected Christ...

Recall Acts 1:21-25 - appointing of the replacement of Judas...

Peter speaking to Cornelius...

When Paul argues for his own identification as an Apostle, he says this...

2.1.2.3.

A Specific Ability to Perform the Signs of an Apostle

2.2.

Paul

Next we must consider Paul.

His calling was unique!

“The uniqueness of Paul’s role is shown by two facts.

First, his commission occurred at an abnormal point in time as compared with other apostles.

Second, his commission had a unique scope to spread the gospel throughout the Gentile world.”

(Geivett et al)

Listen to the calling that Christ placed upon Paul...

Christ appeared to Paul…

Paul explicitly states that he was the last person to have met the qualification of having been an eye-witness of Jesus Christ...

We mustn’t miss the implications of this statement.

Paul was the last one that Christ appeared to.

Paul’s witness of the resurrected Christ was certainly unique.

2.3.

Other Apostles

We must however consider the Apostles in another sense… that is as a messenger sent out by the church...

There are other instances in Scripture where individuals are referred to as apostles.

From these verses, it is evident that other apostles are at least referred to.

These apostles, however, never had the same authority as the Twelve or Paul.

Rather, they functioned during the first Christian era much as missionaries, church planters, and church representatives do today.

It is important for us to note that the apostles of Christ understood that their role in governing the church was temporary.

As they aged, and in preparation for their departure, they appointed elders to govern the church

2.4.

Further considerations regarding Biblical Apostles

2.4.1.

Apostolic Authority and the Closing of the Canon

The apostles were particularly involved in the revelation / declaration concerning the truth of Christ as it was not previously known.

If we hold to a closed canon, we must also hold to the cessation of the apostolic office.

Hebrews 1:1–2 indicates that what God first revealed through the Old Testament, He later and more fully revealed through His Son.

The New Testament, then, is Christ’s revelation to His church.

It begins with His earthly ministry (in the four gospels), and continues through the epistles – letters that were written by His authorized representatives.

Thus, in John 14:26, Christ authorized His apostles to lead the church, promising them that the Helper would come and bring to their remembrance all that Jesus had taught them.

The instruction they gave the church, then, was really an extension of Jesus’ ministry, as enabled by the Holy Spirit